From November 1 doctors will be able to prescribe patients medical cannabis, the government has announced today.

The new law will apply to England, Wales and Scotland.

It means those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain - due to chemotherapy, could be given the option of getting the drug from a doctor.

The government has said that the prescriptions will be the responsibility of specialist doctors, and not GPs.

A statement on the government website explains further: "These doctors focus on one field of medicine such as neurology or paediatrics and are listed on the General Medical Council’s specialist register.

"They must make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products."

The new law follows several high-profile cases, including those of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell.

Billy was given the first prescription by the NHS for medicinal cannabis oil in July this year.

His mother credited the oil for keeping her son's seizures at bay.

Alfie's use of cannabis treatment was also said to reduce his clusters of seizures, going from having them once every 27 days to once every 7-10 days.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Having been moved by heartbreaking cases involving sick children, it was important to me that we took swift action to help those who can benefit from medicinal cannabis.

"We have now delivered on our promise and specialist doctors will have the option to prescribe these products where there is a real need.

I’m grateful to the expert panel – who have been considering cases in the interim – and to those who’ve worked hard to bring about this change at the earliest possible opportunity."

The recreational use of cannabis will remain illegal.

The penalties for unauthorised supply and possession will also remain unchanged.